Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Pavel Tchelitchew. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1925, this pencil drawing on a light‑brown sheet of paper is attributed to Pavel Tchelitchew. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and bears the artist’s signature in the lower right corner. Though untitled, the piece presents a solitary male figure rendered in a restrained, observational manner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a young man dressed in a suit and tie, his gaze directed forward with a solemn expression. The focus on the face and shoulders suggests an interest in character study, emphasizing the psychological presence of the sitter rather than narrative context.
Technique & Style
Tchelitchew employed loose yet deliberate pencil strokes, using cross‑hatching to model shadows and give the figure a sense of volume. The warm tone of the colored paper provides a subtle background, while careful shading around the eyes and mouth conveys depth and a nuanced facial expression.
History & Provenance
Born in Russia in 1898, Tchelitchew worked across painting, set, and costume design, aligning with surrealist circles. This particular drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study and exhibition, reflecting the artist’s early drawing practice.
Context
The work emerges from a period when Tchelitchew was exploring figurative representation alongside his involvement in avant‑garde theater design. Its straightforward portraiture contrasts with the more fantastical elements typical of surrealism, highlighting the artist’s versatility in both realistic and imaginative modes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pavel Fyodorovich Tchelitchew ( Che-LIT-chev; Russian: Па́вел Фёдорович Чели́щев) (3 October 1898 – 31 July 1957) was a Russian-born surrealist painter, set designer and costume designer.
